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February 19th 2017 – Amazing Grace

“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” (Acts 8:3)

Once there was a ruthless hit man who hated Christians. he did whatever it took to get them arrested, even murdered. Countless Christians were persecuted and killed because of this vicious man. Some time later, this man wanted to become a Christian. God forgave him and accepted him, despite all of His children this man abused.

We cringe when we read stories like that one. It seems like God is way too compassionate. We sometimes just want evil, vile people to get what they deserve. To get what they have coming to them. But even though God is intensely (and rightly) angry at evil, He offers grace and forgiveness to sinners, even the people we would define in our eyes as the “worst” of sinners. God will forgive any sinner, no matter how awful, if they repent, accept Jesus’ payment on the cross for their sins, and follow Him. God is extravagantly merciful. He is beyond.

The man described in the intro is actually someone your possibly familiar with: Saul, or Paul as we know him. Read his story in Saul’s Conversion Acts 9:1-20

Some questions to ponder.

  • Is God to soft? – What use is it denouncing murderers if they can simply repent and God will show them mercy.
  • What kind of God would do such a thing? “Is He neither tame enough more tough enough?

God is outrageously merciful. His mercy pulls the weight of guilt out from under any sinner. As His children, He wants us to follow suit. When people wrong us, God calls us to be like Him, to drop it. To forgive. To pull the weight out from under our case against them. God can forgive whomever He chooses to forgive. And He has chosen to forgive anyone who accepts His offer of salvation. While that is sometimes tough to swallow, how can we question the very grace by which we ourselves were saved? guilty of sin, we are all closer to murderers than we are to Jesus. Yet we’ve been forgiven by the God who’s beyond what we can imagine.

Prayer :

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me of my sins and accepting me into Your kingdom even though, at times still sin against You. I often ask for forgiveness, however I also need mercy. I love You and want to please You, Your Grace is more then sufficient for me, anything above that is truly a blessing from You Lord, because I don’t deserve it. In Jesus’ name Amen.

If you have not asked Jesus into your life and experienced His Amazing Grace. Please Click Here to ask Jesus to be your Lord and savior.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

February 18th 2017 – Stability in Marriage

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

Stabile Marriage… Everyone desires to have one.. After all, who wants a mariage in chaos? Unfortunately, life doesn’t always give us a choice. Each morning when we open our eyes we await things that will catch us off guard. Good or bad, these elements in life are part of living in a broken world. The good news is that we are not alone, and there is a source outside the chaos that we can lean on in times of instability and dougt in our marriages.

(Psalm 94:22) “But the LORD has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge.”

Throughout Scripture, God is referred to as a rock. This is not to say that he is made of granite, but it is a reference to his steadfastness. Like a mighty mountain, God is immovable and secure in all His ways. Because of this, He is our source for security and strength. When life brings surprises, we can stand on our God. When people change, our God will not. When situations arise, our God is our refuge. As you wake up this morning, spend time in God’s Word and get to know Him more. Read His promises with great anticipation. Grasp His love and mercy and allow that to strengthen you today. The more you know about God, Jesus and His might and power; the more you will be equipped to stand strong during the storms of life. Life may bring instability in our marriage but with God we can remain stable.

“The more mature you grow in the Lord, the more stable you become in our relationships and in all of lifes matters.”

Are you loving your spouse unconditionally as Jesus loves us?

The Mariage Test

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank You for Your great love for me and for Your steadfastness. Your Word tells me that You will never change and that Your mercy endures forever. Lord, help me to find stability on You, my Rock. Bring to mind Scriptures in my times of doubt and encouragements in my times of need. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I will remain brave, strong and steadfast in the faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

February 17th 2017 Unforsaken

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Those are familiar words. Jesus spoke them from the cross, but they were first spoken by David when he was going through a severe trial.

Jesus Christ was forsaken that we might not be forsaken. God the Father forsook His Son on the cross when He was made sin for us.

But David says in, (Psalm 22:4-6) “Our fathers trusted You, and You took care of them; now I’m trusting You, and nothing seems to happen” We can envision David saying, “I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people” He did go through that. But our Lord went through it to an even greater degree. Can you imagine the Lord Jesus, who said, “I am the Good Shepherd,” saying, “I am a worm”? But He became a worm for us so that we might become the children of God.

We cannot be forsaken because the Savior was forsaken in our place. We can’t be forsaken because of His promise to never leave or forsake us. We cannot be forsaken because of His abiding and eternal presence with us. We cannot be forsaken because of His purpose to work all things together for good to those who love Him.

And what is His purpose? That we might be conformed to the image of His Son. David became a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he had to suffer to do it. In spite of your circumstances and feelings, remember: God will not forsake you.

When you go through trials, your circumstances and feelings can deceive you into thinking God has forsaken you. But the Bible promises us that He will never forsake you. Next time you feel forsaken, remember that God is always true to His Word and will accomplish His purpose of conforming you to the image of His Son Jesus Christ…

“God will not forsake you id you have asked Him to be you Saviour.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for never forsaking me and always being her with me, even when I don’t call on You for help. You are the one true God and I find strength everyday knowing that I can always call on You. Please continue to draw me close to You and strengthen me with you Holy Word. I Love You Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

February 16th 2017 – Grace First

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Ephesians  1:1-2)

In his various letters to people or churches, grace always comes first in Paul’s greetings. It is always grace followed by peace. In his letters to Timothy and Titus he added mercy; “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is a beautiful lesson for us. You see friend, we need God’s grace to have peace with Him. We, by His grace, are invited to believe in Jesus as our Savior and through our faith in Him we are saved. Now we are forgiven and at peace with God! Grace and then peace! God shows us great mercy and love in this.

“We have to know God’s grace before we can know God’s peace.”

You can have much greater peace in your life if you give more grace to all of the people in your life. Forgive those who have wronged or hurt you. Be merciful. Love. Give them grace like God gave grace to you… you will lighten your emotional load and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. You want more peace in a relationship? Put more grace in the relationship. Grace is like gravy, it goes on everything and makes everything better. Every relationship you have can be improved with grace.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for Your grace to me. Thank You for Jesus. I am sorry for the times I have lacked grace and destroyed peace. Please help me give grace to the people in my life. Show me how to be merciful and loving to them like You are to me. As I give grace, please bring peace to my relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

February 15th 2017 – Feeling Helpless or Hopeless?

“Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.” (Ezra 10:4)

God may be the director of the universe, but He has given us power to make decisions. You have a decision to confess your sins to Him and to ask for His forgiveness. You have a decision whether to serve the Lord, give to the Lord or share the Gospel with others. No matter who you are, you have an opportunity to change the world through your decisions.

(Joshua 24:15) “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

As you read this devotional, there is a world filled with people who desire peace. They desire love. They desire hope in something greater than the economy, the president or their own ability. As a follower of Christ, we can make the decision to share with them how to change their life and those things by sharing the Gospel. We can serve them. We can offer them our time, resources and compassion. God will empower us to do mighty things, but we must decide to do it. Choose this day who you will serve, and do it!

You are not helpless or hopeless. Your destiny is in your hands and in the hands of a God that loves you and wants to bless and protect you.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I desire to choose You above everything else. I decide this day to serve You and to serve others. Give me a heart of compassion and a willingness to think of others before myself. God, use me to change the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

February 14th 2017 – Love Lessons

“Teacher,” he asked, “which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-39)

If you want your life to count while we are here on Earth,  we have to focus on it. We have to decied on whats inportant. We don’t have time for everything, and not everything is of equal value.

Jesus said there are two things that are more valuable in life than anything else: loving God and loving each other.

Have you ever wondered why God put us here on Earth to begin with? Why didnt He send us straight to heaven when he created you and me?  We are only here for 100 years at the most, and you’re going to live for eternity in Heaven or Hell. And that is all determined by Accepting Jesus os our Savior or not.

The Bible is very clear that God put us here on Earth to do two things: to learn to love God and to learn to love other people. Life is not about a accumulation, accomplishment, or achievement. It’s not about all the things the world tells us life is all about. You can’t take our cars and houses with us. But you are taking your character and you everlasting ability to love.

Today is the day the majority of the world relfects on expressions of love for our spouses, and if your not married, then that special person your interested in.

Biblical Truth:

Any successful marriage is built upon the biblical truth that God designed each of us with five purposes in mind: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and missions.

It is important to have is a marriage centered on Christ, specifically focused on glorifying God.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The he added, “The second most important commandment is like it: ‘Love your [spouse] as you love yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39)

In this sense, you worship God when you love and sacrifice for your spouse. That brings pleasure to God, and any time you give pleasure to God, you’re worshiping him. Read through Romans 12 with a view of what its applications would mean to your marriage:

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:10)

God put us on Earth for 80 to 100 years so we can learn to love Him with all of our heart and learn to love others. Life is one giant “Love Lesson♡♡!”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,  I want to glorify my love for You by loving my spouse as you have expressed Your love for me. I never knew true love until You taught me how to love. I am so greatful for the blessings that You have provided for me. I thank you for my spouse and I pray that I can express Your love through me. In Your precious name, Amen.

Experience a love like no other.

If you do not know Jesus personally, I encourage you not to pass up the precious gift of His love and eternal life. Jesus died on the cross for you and me. Jesus loves us and wants to help us through the storms. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior please click here 4 Simple Steps to Jesus

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org 

February 13th 2017 – Choose to Love

“Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

 

In 1 Corinthians 16:14, we find such a simple command. Simply put, we are to do everything with love. While this may appear simple in direction, it’s not simple in action. Because we are broken vessels in an evil world, it can be difficult to do everything with love. After all, our first reaction is to preserve ourselves. Our emotions, our lives, our stuff; these are the things we strive to maintain at all cost… and love demands we lose them for the sake of others.

(Galatians 2:20) “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

As Christians, we are no longer slaves to ourselves. We have been freed to love others just as Christ loved us. He is our great example as well as our strength. We cannot love rightly on our own. We must depend on Jesus. So next time someone in traffic causes you to see red, look to the cross of Christ and the blood that He shed for you. He died for us when we didn’t deserve it so now we can forgive others even when they don’t deserve it.

“You’re not living until you give your life away and start to love.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for Your love and grace. Because You loved me, I am able to love others in every circumstance. Give me strength to walk in obedient love and to look for opportunities to care for others around me. As Your love increases in me, may my selfishness decrease. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scriptutalseeds.org

February 12th 2017 – Red Flags

“For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him.” (2 Chronicles 29:6)

Have you ever felt far from God? We’ve all had those moments where we know our relationship with our Savior needs adjusting. One of the red flags that go up during these times is our relationships with other people. When we are short tempered towards others or have no compassion for those in need, there is a deeper issue. When we hate our brother or sister and hold unforgiveness towards them, we need to take notice and come back to the Lord.

(1 John 4:20) “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen'”

This is a sobering thought, but it’s a great warning sign from the Lord. If we cannot love those around us then how can we truly love God? The bitterness towards others is not the sckness, it is the symptom. The main issue is our relationship with the Lord. Is He truly our Savior? If so, are we spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer? Not in a religious way but because we desire to know Him more. These are questions we should ask ourselves when we find ourselves struggling with others. As we humble ourselves before the Lord, we will find His loving kindness propelling us to love others.

“Our attitudes toward others can serve as warning markers in our relationship to God.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the warnings in Your Word. Give me eyes to see the warning signs when I begin straying from You. Speak to me through Your Word and give me the strength to love others like You love me. May my life be used as a means to draw people to Yourself. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or others, please Click Here

If you are seeking Jesus in your life or want to recommit your life to Him. Click Here to learn more.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 11th 2017 – Incredibly Thirsty

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Picture, if you will, a line of people. These people are from different backgrounds and families. Only one thing unites them and that is the fact that all are incredibly thirsty. Each of them longs for a cup of cold water. Now, imagine the first in this great line being given a case of ice cold water. With great anticipation they grab a bottle and begin to quench their overpowering thirst. The dryness and pain that came with the thirst is quickly forgotten as they embrace the refreshing liquid. After enjoying the comforts of the water, the person is then refreshed and ready to pass on this wonderful gift. With great joy, they proceed to hand a bottle of water to the next thirsty soul – and the refreshment continues.

This may seem like an odd story, but it sheds light on our place in sharing God’s comfort. All of us have endured suffering. Like these people, we ache for refreshment from the pains of life. After a time of wondering when it will end, God pours out His refreshing comfort on our life and we become encouraged. The danger is to stop at this point and miss the secondary blessing. Rather than selfishly holding on to God’s comfort, we should share it with those who are still thirsting for relief. As God comforts us in our suffering we are put in the perfect place to comfort others – and the refreshment continues.

“God is the source of all blessings, comfort and mercy. When we are a source of blessings or comfort or mercy, we are becoming more and more like Christ.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the amazing comfort that I find in You. Because of Your love, I have peace with God and forgiveness for all my sins. Because of Jesus, I am free from the penalty of sin and no matter what happens on this earth, I will be healed and loved for all eternity. Father, help me to remember these things and to pass them on to those who are thirsting for Your refreshing comfort. In Jesus name, Amen.

Seeking Comfort from Jesus?

Jesus Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20)

The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13)

If you have not asked Jesus into your lifeYou can receive Jesus Christ right now by faith through prayer.

Prayer is just talking with God. He knows your heart, so don’t worry about getting your words just right. Here is a suggested prayer to guide you:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you have done this, then congratulations! (Luke 15:7) says that when one sinner accepts Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour the angels rejoice. So there’s a party going on in heaven right now over your decision! Remember this date as your “second birthday,” the day you were born into a new life in Christ! You have God’s Word that he answered your prayer.

Please take a moment to contact me, I would love to pray with you personally for this wonderful new journey you are on.  roblavallee@gmail.com or 520-256-9738

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org

February 10th 2017 -Unstoppable Joy!

“Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples, For you have played the harlot against your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor.” (Hosea 9:1)

Joy, it’s something we strive for and yet so many people miss it completely. In the time of Hosea, God tells the people of Israel NOT to rejoice. He does not refuse them joy because He is cruel; He is simply stating a fact. They had rejected a relationship with God and because of that, they had rejected joy.

Around the world today there are countless people who are seeking joy. They try to find it in relationships, careers, activities and possessions. Unfortunately many turn to drugs and alcohol. These things may bring a temporary joy or happiness, but each one of them is unable to sustain joy for long. Compare this to the words of Jesus in John chapter 15.

(John 15:10-11) “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Jesus gives us the answer to complete joy in life and that answer is a relationship with Him. An active relationship with Jesus through prayer, reading the Bible and serving others helps us walk in fulfillment and joy. As we see others blessed, we are blessed. When we understand the promises of God and how they relate to us, we are encouraged. So, if you are lacking joy in your life, look to the One who promises full joy. Find Jesus and find joy.

“Complete, unstoppable joy is found in an active relationship with Jesus.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the relationship You offer me through Jesus. Thank You for the promises of Your Word. Help me to remember those promises, and give me the strength to love and serve others. I know that as I step out in obedience to You, I will find complete joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life? Or have you turned your back on Him? There is no better time then now to claim your Unstoppable Joy!

Pray this prayer and start a new life, or recommit to to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I admit that I am not right with You, and I want to be right with You. I ask You to forgive me of all my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Rom. 10:9). I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me!
In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time, we would like to know. Click here to send us an e-mail or share your testimony.

Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org